30 November, 2007

In an age where virtuality and politics questions the very nature of democracy, here again, is Alternet bringing us a great article of the politics of virtuality and empowerment. Or, is it the reality of virtual politics of empowerment?

There are a lot of interesting aspects to how the virtual world has invigorated the political landscape[s]. Certainly, every U.S. aspiring presidential candidate has a website/virtual home, but just over a few clicks on Google, you can learn about politics world wide–even about Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez’s attempt to revolutionize socialism for the 21st century! For now, though, you can check out this article over at Alternet!

iPolitics Is Everywhere — Feel Empowered Yet?
By Jessica Clark, In These Times
The growth in political discussion has exploded through digital technology, but virtual democracy is still far from addressing election theft and other problems with our electoral system.Read more »

For many schools, today is the last day for my materials to arrive, since the deadline is 01 December 2007.  I thought I’d list the places to which I’ve applied for a PhD in Anthropology [most places its a PhD in sociocultural anthropology & linguistics].  You should know up front that University of IL at Urbana-Champagne is my #1 choice, with this school having the hightest concentration of border studies and queer theorists, along with Continental Philosophy incorporated into their program.

• University of IL Urbana-Champagne
• University of New Mexico
• Michigan State University
• University of Minnesota
• University of Texas

For some, this is a short list, but the reality is that there are few places doing border theory in the way that I would like to pursue and envision seeing myself pursue it.  Should I not get in this year, I will apply again next year and perhaps include University of California, Irvine as a possibility.

Many of you have supported me in my search for the “perfect” program.  I am grateful for your help and support.  I hope that we are able to sit back and enjoy the result of it all!